Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-11-18
Albert II. Parsons,
Aged 30
Murdered by the state of Illinois

NOV. IL, 1851.
The funeral procession was now COM
plcte, and to the mourntu music and drum
taps of seven bands 1t slowly moved down
town. No flags were carried, and the only
one seen during the entire day was the
American standard which tloated at half
mast from Turner Hall. The procession,
as viewed from the Lake street bridge
comprised some 2OOJO people. At the
head was the Defense Committee on foot.
followed by membors of the Aurora Turn
Verien, International Turnvericn, West
Twelfth Street Social Turnvcrien, Vor
Waerts Turnverien and Turncr- from Pull
man and Kensing OIL. Tuou rume the
hearsc with the remains OF August Spies.
Behind were the carriage, containing
friends and relatives and fifteen undred
members of tho various organizations
affiliated with the Central Labor Union,
and delegation from German Typograph-
ical Union No. Q.
Next followed the Fischer hearse escorted
by delegation from two lodges of the Ger
man, Typographical Union, the Socialist
MannerchOr and three othor Socialistic So
cieties, of which the dead man was a mem
Der. There was slight gap, and then with
slow and solemn tread came delegation
from the famous old Local Assembly No.
1907, h, of L., rs special escort to the body
of Parsons. In the rear Of the hearse, i'm
mediately after the carriages containing
his wife and children and friends, marched
several hundred members OF the Assembly
and another contingent of Central Labor
organizations, the Painters Union furnish
ing the largest representation.
The Engel division included large dele
CATION from the Carpenters Union, all
wearing red emblems around their hats
Around the hearse a scarlet banner was
festooned, and on its top there rested
wreath OF bright red roses. The hearse
with the remains OF the suicide, Lingg, was
the last in line, and in the first carriage
that followed it sat his sweetheart, Eda
Frudel But the most remarkayie feature
of the procession was yet TO come II was
u delegation of four hundred mombers Of
the "Fortsright," u German organization OF
women. One and all were dressed in deep
mourning, with long Grape wells covering
their heads and reaching to their feet. Tho
rear OF the procession was made up of dele
cations from numerous trade societies.
Along the route of march the streets were
packed, but nothing of note occurred until
Fifth avenue and Lake street had been
reached. Then II one.armed gray-ha Iced
man, with "a Grand Army badge upon his
breast sprang from the sidewalk TO the
head of the procession. In his only hand he
carried cane to which was fastened the
Stars and Strips, and this he waved over
his head at every step, The marshal of the
day rode up and urged him to quit, and
there were cries from those behind Of
"Throw him into the river" and KNOCK
him OUT but the veteran held his ground
until the depot had been reach, when he
quickly disappeared in the crowd.
When passing the office of an afternoon
hot hTtl fuNv fl,.
clemency to the condemned men, cheers
were given all along tho line, but beyond
this there were no manifestations of feel
ing, ana on The whole the procession was
one OF the most quiet and orderly that has
ever been seen in Chicago.
Waldheim Cemetery, where tho final
scene took place, Is about eight miles from
Chicago, almost under the shadows of the
Altcnheim, or German Old Peoples Home
This was the objective point throughout
the morning for large numbers of people
who reached 1t by special trains, in car
riages, or on foot, and by noon fully 5000 |
were within the enclosure or scattered |
over the half mile of country lane be- |
tween 1t and the depot Thirty cars were in |
waiting Tor the funeral party, but even |
after this number had made three trips
there were thousands upon thousands who |
were compelled 10 relinquish their inten-
tion Of taking part IN the iinal ceremonies
and TO remain In the city
Each casket was borne from the depot
upon the shoulders OF eight men, and the
was headed by four women in
deep mourning, upon whose shoulders
rested an immense floral crown, with d
smaller one of crapo in the interior.
The collins were placed upon a platform
hat had been erected Immediately IN front
lf the receiving vault, and the 1900 spec.
a' ors gathered around. The shadows of
'venlng were falling, and as Captain Slack
stepped forward and raised his hand, hats
we're taken OF and deep silence fell upon
ho vast throng, The counsel for the men,
whose remains rested at his feet, spoke at
ength. He told his hearers tina they had
ome to do honor 10 the soldiers and mar
yrs VI u9.A. ghey had lost theIr lives in